Bill O’Brien Returns Home: Named New Head Coach of Boston College

^{Image Source: Pats Pulpit}

Bill O’Brien has made a surprising decision to become the new head coach at Boston College, choosing to return to his hometown for a prominent position instead of proceeding with the offensive coordinator role at Ohio State, which he had recently accepted. This information comes from a reliable source with direct insight into the situation, speaking anonymously as the school finalizes the hiring process.

A Boston native, O’Brien served as the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots in the previous season. He steps in to replace Jeff Hafley, who departed Chestnut Hill to assume the role of defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. Under Hafley’s leadership, the Eagles held a 22-26 record over four seasons, with Hafley previously serving as the defensive coordinator at Ohio State.

O’Brien’s most recent head coaching role was with the Houston Texans, where he accumulated a record of 54-52 from 2014 to 2020. Since then, he has held positions with Alabama and the Patriots as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Before his stint with the Texans, O’Brien also worked for the New England Patriots from 2007 to 2011. In his return to the Patriots, O’Brien faced challenges leading an offense that struggled, particularly under the guidance of 2021 first-round draft pick Mac Jones, whom he had also coached at Alabama.

The Patriots had a disappointing season, finishing with a record of 4-13, leading to the dismissal of Bill Belichick, who was replaced by Jerod Mayo.

During Hafley’s tenure at Boston College, the team achieved six wins in each of the first two seasons. However, circumstances such as opting out of a bowl game in the pandemic-affected 2020 season and withdrawing from the 2021 Military Bowl due to a COVID outbreak presented challenges.

In 2022, BC faced a tough season, marked by injuries and quarterback instability, reminiscent of Hafley’s tenure. The Eagles struggled with a 3-9 record. With a shaky start to the current season at 1-3, Hafley’s job security was in doubt, but a string of five consecutive wins earned the team another bowl berth.